Impact-resistant material and pad

Abstract

Impact-resistant materials and pads are disclosed. An impact-resistant material includes a first elastomer layer having a first density, a second elastomer layer having a second density higher than the first density, a layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material, and a polymer layer. These layers are preferably be arranged in the order in which they are recited. These layers may also be included in an impact-resistant pad configured to be worn by a user. The first elastomer layer is positioned directly adjacent the user when the pad is worn by the user.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. An impact-resistant material consisting of:
 a first elastomer layer having a first density; 
 a second elastomer layer having a second density higher than the first density; 
 a layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material; and 
 a polymer layer, wherein 
 the first elastomer layer is arranged directly adjacent the second elastomer layer; 
 the second elastomer layer is arranged directly adjacent the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material; and 
 the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material is arranged directly adjacent the polymer layer, 
 wherein the impact-resistant material has a total thickness of no more than 25.0 mm, and 
 wherein the polymer layer has a total thickness from 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm. 
 
     
     
       2. The impact-resistant material of  claim 1 , wherein the first elastomer layer comprises a layer of closed cell foam. 
     
     
       3. The impact-resistant material of  claim 1 , wherein the first density is around approximately 9 lbs. per cubic foot. 
     
     
       4. The impact-resistant material of  claim 1 , wherein the first elastomer layer has a total thickness from 6.0 mm to 12.0 mm. 
     
     
       5. The impact-resistant material of  claim 1 , wherein the second elastomer layer comprises a layer of closed cell foam. 
     
     
       6. The impact-resistant material of  claim 1 , wherein the second density is around approximately 32 lbs. per cubic foot. 
     
     
       7. The impact-resistant material of  claim 1 , wherein the second elastomer layer has a total thickness from 6.0 mm to 12.0 mm. 
     
     
       8. The impact-resistant material of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material comprises a layer of aramid fibers. 
     
     
       9. The impact-resistant material of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer layer comprises a polypropylene polymer layer. 
     
     
       10. The impact-resistant material of  claim 9 , wherein the polypropylene polymer layer comprises multiple polypropylene polymer layers. 
     
     
       11. An impact-resistant pad configured to be worn by a user, the pad comprising an impact-resistant material consisting of:
 a first elastomer layer having a first density; 
 a second elastomer layer having a second density higher than the first density; 
 a layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material; and 
 a polymer layer, wherein 
 the first elastomer layer is arranged directly adjacent the second elastomer layer; 
 the second elastomer layer is arranged directly adjacent the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material; and 
 the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material is arranged directly adjacent the polymer layer, 
 wherein the impact-resistant material has a total thickness of no more than 25.0 mm, and 
 wherein the polymer layer has a total thickness from 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm. 
 
     
     
       12. The impact-resistant pad of  claim 11 , wherein the first elastomer layer is arranged to be directly adjacent the user when the impact-resistant pad is worn by the user. 
     
     
       13. The impact-resistant pad of  claim 12 , wherein the first elastomer layer is configured to mold to a shape of the user when the impact-resistant pad is worn by the user. 
     
     
       14. The impact-resistant pad of  claim 11 , further comprising a fabric material surrounding the first elastomer layer, the second elastomer layer, the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material, and the polymer layer. 
     
     
       15. The impact-resistant pad of  claim 11 , wherein the pad is configured to cover the user's chest when worn by the user. 
     
     
       16. The impact-resistant pad of  claim 11 , wherein the first elastomer layer comprises a layer of closed cell foam. 
     
     
       17. The impact-resistant pad of  claim 11 , wherein the first density is around approximately 9 lbs. per cubic foot. 
     
     
       18. The impact-resistant pad of  claim 11 , wherein the first elastomer layer has a total thickness from 6.0 mm to 12.0 mm. 
     
     
       19. The impact-resistant pad of  claim 11 , wherein the second elastomer layer comprises a layer of closed cell foam. 
     
     
       20. The impact-resistant pad of  claim 11 , wherein the second density is around approximately 32 lbs. per cubic foot. 
     
     
       21. The impact-resistant pad of  claim 11 , wherein the second elastomer layer has a total thickness from 6.0 mm to 12.0 mm. 
     
     
       22. The impact-resistant pad of  claim 11 , wherein the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material comprises a layer of aramid fibers. 
     
     
       23. The impact-resistant pad of  claim 11 , wherein the polymer layer comprises a polypropylene polymer layer. 
     
     
       24. The impact-resistant pad of  claim 23 , wherein the polypropylene polymer layer comprises multiple polypropylene polymer layers. 
     
     
       25. An impact-resistant material consisting of:
 a first elastomer layer having a first density; 
 a second elastomer layer having a second density higher than the first density; 
 a layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material, wherein the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material is coated with a polymer material; and 
 a polymer layer separate from the polymer material, wherein 
 the first elastomer layer is arranged directly adjacent the second elastomer layer; 
 the second elastomer layer is arranged directly adjacent the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material; and 
 the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material is arranged directly adjacent the polymer layer, 
 wherein the impact-resistant material has a total thickness of no more than 25.0 mm, and 
 wherein the polymer layer has a total thickness from 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm. 
 
     
     
       26. An impact-resistant pad configured to be worn by a user, the pad comprising an impact-resistant material consisting of:
 a first elastomer layer having a first density; 
 a second elastomer layer having a second density higher than the first density; 
 a layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material, wherein the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material is coated with a polymer material; and 
 a polymer layer separate from the polymer material, wherein 
 the first elastomer layer is arranged directly adjacent the second elastomer layer; 
 the second elastomer layer is arranged directly adjacent the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material; and 
 the layer of high-tensile strength fibrous material is arranged directly adjacent the polymer layer, 
 wherein the impact-resistant material has a total thickness of no more than 25.0 mm, and 
 wherein the polymer layer has a total thickness from 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm.